What a delicious meal!!! The restaurant it self is bare-bones and no-fuss, but don't let that fool…read moreyou... These people know how to make an impression!!! Everyone I met (while ordering takeout and waiting) was outstanding. They gave good, solid recommendations based on my needs (vegetarian) and the food (again) was as delicious as if there was a little Lebanese grandma back there cooking to make sure you didn't leave either hungry nor disappointed!! It was the perfect takeout!! The owner's son was behind the register and even gave us a bag of pitas to go back to the hotel with! That's service!!!

The restaurant is located on a street that seems like it used to be bustling, died out, and is…read morestarting to revive. We arrived around 2:30pm on a Thursday, there was only one other group there. We were immediately greeted and our waiter was super friendly and chatty. The inside is pretty casual, and they played 2000s hits at a good volume. We started with a cup of Turkish coffee... I've never had Turkish coffee so maybe this is standard, but they did not offer cream or sugar. I don't usually like black coffee but it was surprisingly light, and the serving was pretty small so I actually quite enjoyed it. The owner later said it was the brand Utica coffee (which I love). We ordered the loaded fries, which came with taziki sauce, feta cheese, and tabouleh. Usually loaded fries feel very heavy and greasy, but these tasted very fresh. For the main dish, we ordered the Elias Gyro and the Layla Gyro. My pallet is usually more oriented towards lots of flavor and spice, so I found the Layla Gyro to be lighter than I would have liked. There wasn't as much sauce as I was expecting, but it was still very moist. I loved the pickled vegetables in it, but I wasn't a huge fan of the fries. The Elias Gyro was a lot more flavor heavy thanks to the garlic sauce, which was delicious. The meat in both gyros was cooked perfectly. Lastly, we had the baklava. Ive never had baklava before so I have nothing to compare it to, but oh my goodness it was so good. Overall, super positive experience. It's always such a treat to see the owner walking around interacting with customers, and I would definitely go again whenever I want something light and fresh.

Very fresh and delicious!…read more Very nice people! Cute atmosphere as Iris an old train car! They have beer and wine!

SO GOOD!!!! We stopped in here while driving across the country. We wanted something healthy,…read morefresh, and delicious. We 100% hit the jackpot with Mariam's. We got the chicken kabob, a hummus plate, and the chicken shawarma wrap. If we lived nearby, we would go all the time. The Staff were so nice, and the portions were huge. A must visit!

I ordered food to go on 2/14/24... So nice to have someone cook my meal on valentines day! The…read morecombo grill platter is a 10/10! All three meats were tender and tasty; rice was moist, sauces were phenomenal. Baba ghanoush was ok... Tasty but the pieces of eggplant were too big. The baklava...OMG! So delicious and moist. Staff were friendly and helpful, and my order was ready quickly (10 minutes) given the orders he was already filling from phone and online customers. This is a great place, so happy to have this new location close to home!

Owner Malik Aboshreakh and his business partner Samir Almlhim own and operate several other…read moreMediterranean restaurants in the area, including Kabab House in Liverpool and another Mediterranean Combo location up on SU Hill. The wife and I love Mediterranean food and we try every place that opens. We recently had a game night with some friends who were also craving Mediterranean, and being in Liverpool themselves, we decided to give Combo a try. I placed our order about 2 hours in advance online. I ordered a combo grill platter - chicken shawerma, beef shawerma, shish tawook, served with salad and rice along with a side of stuffed grape leaves, my wife chose the shish tawook bowl - chicken cubes, rice, French fries, hummus, salad, white sauce, medi-sauce and our friends got a side of baba ganoush, falafel, the half BBQ chicken platter -BBQ chicken glazed with special Medi-marinated sauce served over rice with salad and garlic sauce, and crispy spiced pita bread, and a chicken shawerna bowl. We set our order for pick up at 5:18 PM and were there right on the dot. There were several other customers inside, and our food was not ready. The person behind the counter was extremely apologetic, explaining that they had no customers at one point and then several walk in orders all at the same time. Told him no big deal, wasn't in a rush. He was an extremely friendly guy as well. He made it quickly, marked everything so we knew what everything was, and was sure to give us napkins, disposable silverware, and extra sauces. Our food came to $89 and we also got a free soda for ordering over $50. I also really liked that they allowed you to order something like stuffed grape leaves - which nobody else wanted - in whatever quantity you wanted, instead of having to order a huge quantity of them. Got it to our friends house and we all tore in and were very happy. My one friend who got the BBQ Chicken combo was a little disappointed - he said while it had good flavor, the chicken was a little dry, and it wasn't a sauce as he was expecting, so there weren't any condiments to give it some more moisture. On the other hand, the other 3 of us absolutely loved everything. Everything was extremely flavorful, the sauces were amazing, and it's some of the best falafel we've had in town. My grape leaves were delicious with a great balsamic sauce. Our friend thought she had accidentally received a side of hummus instead of her baba ganoush, as it looked pretty much exactly like the hummus with her combo, but upon tasting it, it was the correct item and we were all very happy with it. We'll definitely be back, and Combo shot to the top of our current favorite Mediterranean in the city.

Never had a bad meal here. Consistently fresh product and is on time when ordered out or dining in…read more Prices are reasonable and you receive PLENTY of good. The "louies cart classics" are really good!!! Shaved lamb is muy delicioso.

Great food, friendly atmosphere and accommodating!! Excellent rice pudding!! Go there every time…read moreI'm in Utica!

This is a SPECIAL and delicious place. Set aside any doubts and get your culinary curiosity going…read moreand GO! I am a serious Yelper. I believe my reviews are honest. I love to help folk who want to avoid bad restaurants and especially to have excellent culinary experiences. I am grateful for others who lead me to memorable dining spots. This is one of them. One Arabian Night is tucked away in a scrappy part of Utica, NY. It's a Yemeni place so authentic at one point the chef came out during a call to prayer, unrolled a little rug and prayed. It's a beautiful thing. People being authentic and showing devotion. These guys are also devoted to flavor, and very generous portions at very good, honest prices. I got the succulent mixed lamb, which had chopped veggies and little pieces of roast potatoes. The dish came with a HUGE "sheet" of freshly baked flat bread with sesame seeds (as big as a pizza) WHO DOES THAT?! Side dishes were a fresh chopped salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion and lettuce with lemon juice and parsley, a bowl of very tasty lamb broth and a spicy chutney. I was blown away. When I was there it was catering only to Arabic families and men amiably chatting and eating with their hands. I was taught by my mom to respect other cultures and do as they do: so I observed the locals a little and dug in -ripping bread off and using it to grab finger fulls of food. It was wonderful. They also have an urn of self-serve sweet spiced tea to help make this a unique and unmissable dining experience in Utica. Go! And please leave your xenophobia behind. This ancient civilization (one of the world's OLDEST) has something to teach the most hardened burger-chomping American.

I've only ever ordered delivery but it's always delish! I'll make sure to dine in soon.read more

Perfect in every way, Service, Food, Ambiance, Prices,…read morePortions Now our favorite restaurant. Steep driveway pulling in and out - so drive slow !!! :-) Wait staff and cooks are awesome friendly and sincerely aim to please. Food is GREAT

Quiet night. Met both owners and my server was very friendly, great conversation and wonderful…read moreservice. Food is top notch. Portions are big, and prices are good.

Restaurant has gone out of business, which is a shame, because they did a really nice job. Good…read morefood and friendly service don't ensure survival when the major portion of your customer base (Cazenovia College students) evanesces. Sadly, the college going under dragged quite a few businesses down with it.

The food was outstanding. We came in 5 minutes before closing time with specific dietary needs and…read morewe were treated very well. We highly recommend Kalamata Pita.

Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina is like the Cava of Mediterranean food, and I mean that as a full…read morecompliment. It's a build-your-own, line-style setup, and when we arrived there was a good line of people--which is usually a good sign. My friend JD picked the place, so I let him go first and watched how it worked. I ended up getting a bowl with falafel and just loaded it up. I chose salad instead of a full bed of rice, with just a little rice added. By the time we were done building it, my bowl was so full I could barely close the lid and that's exactly how I like it. The food was fresh, healthy, and flavorful. The staff were very friendly and patient while we made our choices. If I lived in this area, this would absolutely be one of my go-to spots for a regular meal: healthy, fresh, nice atmosphere, and good people behind the counter. Easy 5 stars for Lafa

Lafa Mediterranean by Zeina's on Commercial Drive in New Hartford continues to impress with its…read morefresh, wholesome Mediterranean flavors and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is built around a build-your-own bowl or pita concept, offering vibrant ingredients, aromatic spices, and perfectly balanced textures in every bite. I ordered the chicken shawarma bowl with rice, greens, and plenty of toppings each element tasted clean and homemade. The chicken was tender with that smoky-charred edge you want in shawarma, complemented by crispy chickpeas, tangy pickled turnips, and creamy hummus. What really adds to Lafa's appeal is the modern, comfortable setting and outdoor seating area, perfect for enjoying your meal in the fresh air on a sunny day. The vibe is relaxed yet polished, making it just as great for a quick lunch as a laid back dinner with friends. The staff are friendly and efficient, keeping the service quick without ever feeling rushed. Portions are very generous for the price, and the freshness is undeniable you leave full but never weighed down. Their apple cider green tea is refreshing and pairs perfectly with the bold spices of the food. Between the clean ingredients, generous bowls, and the option to dine outside, Lafa has the balance of health, flavor, and atmosphere perfectly figured out. It's one of those places that keeps you coming back not just for the food, but for the overall good energy.

I love the food. I love the owners…read more My life would be noticeably emptier without this place in the community.

Karam's is the best. I missed their delicious food every time I was away from home for extended…read moreperiods, and there is absolutely NOTHING that comes close to touching it anywhere on the West Coast that I was able to find in 15 years of searching and trying sub-par Middle Eastern food out there. Every time I was back home in the Utica area to visit, Karam's was a must-stop. Their food is delicious and the portions are generous. My mouth waters thinking about their halva/halwa, and that is a dessert I never would have expected to like as I guess I must have tried "bad halva" from other places in the past. I love the cucumber yogurt, labneh, hummus, and dolmas. This place is fantastic and they load you up with fresh food and ample pita bread. I am bummed they're not on GrubHub anymore.

I put in a carryout order. All of the food was just as tasty as if I ate it right there in the…read moredining room.

Solid Greek food, I would say Americanized a bit, neater, drier. Preparation & taste is the exact…read moresame every time. 30+ year customer